Latest from Mark Huber
Rotorcraft
Enstrom Continues Transformation
These are heady days for the company, under new ownership and with a new model planned for next year.
Rotorcraft
Unoccupied Helicopter Left Running Kills Pilot
Witnesses said the empty helicopter became airborne, hit the ground and rolled over, its rotor blades striking and killing the pilot.
Rotorcraft
Enstrom Expands Plant as Helicopter Exports Take Off
Company also doubled its workforce and expects to ramp up production to 50 helicopters next year.
Bell Helicopter To Certify Jet Ranger X in Canada First
Company will also conduct prototype assembly and flight-testing of the aircraft from its plant in Mirabel, Quebec.
Enstrom Expands Plant as Helicopter Exports Take Off
Company also doubled its workforce and expects to ramp up production to 50 helicopters next year.
Rotorcraft
EC155 Performs for the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan Health System, the first U.S. operator to use the EC155 for medevac missions, has been flying the helicopter since 2012.
Rotorcraft
Schumer Wants Permanent North Shore Helo Route
Offshore Long Island route became mandatory in 2012 but is scheduled to expire under a sunset provision on August 6.
Rotorcraft
Canada Raps Ornge for Safety Violations
Canadian health and safety investigators charged Ontario’s troubled air ambulance service with 17 violations.
Rotorcraft
Crowdsourcing Comes to NYC Helicopter Charters
Blade app lets customers book a seat on an existing flight or charter a whole helicopter and then use the app to help fill the seats.
Rotorcraft
Test Pilot’s Take on Autorotating the Tiltrotor
Test aircraft Number 1 made more than 70 power-off conversions from airplane to rotorcraft mode.
Rotorcraft
Sunset Looms for North Shore Helicopter Route
Without FAA action the controversial route expires in August; helicopter association has an alternative noise-mitigation plan.
Rotorcraft
Textron Adds Flight Simulation to Portfolio
TRU Simulation + Training combines two recent Textron acquisitions to provide pilot and flight crew training.
Mubadala Takes Over Piaggio Aero
India’s Tata Industries will relinquish its partnership stake in Piaggio, giving Mubadala control of 98 percent of the company’s stock.
Rotorcraft
Robinson Delivers 500th R66
The 500th helicopter was delivered to Russian operator Aviamarket.
Rotorcraft
First Level D AW189 Sim Certified
The new simulator will be based at AgustaWestland’s new simulation building at the A. Marchetti Training Academy in Sesto Calende, Italy.
Regulations and Government
EAA Signs Long-term Fee Deal with FAA
The nine-year deal for ATC services represents the best option for the association.
Rotorcraft
AW609 Tiltrotor Completes Autorotation Tests
AW609 test aircraft made more than 70 power-off conversions from airplane to helicopter mode.
Safety
FAA Delays Helicopter Safety Rule Deadline
The FAA said the original deadline did not give stakeholders and the agency “sufficient time to prepare” and was “contrary to the public interest.”
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Presses Ahead With New Models
The company unveiled plans for two new variants of existing aircraft, the 225e and the AS322 C1e.
Rotorcraft
Bell Prepares 505 Jet Ranger X Light-Single Helicopter Contender
The 505 is designed to “be price competitive” with the $839,000 Robinson R66, a helicopter that has reinvigorated the light single market.
Regulations and Government
EAA, FAA Strike Deal on ATC Charges for AirVenture
Rotorcraft
Ornge Slashes Top Jobs
